North Harbour Premier Sevens Champions

The Northcote Premier sevens team started off their season by going up to Kerikeri to compete in the Northland 7s series, the boys fell short at the semi-final mark to eventual champions, Waipu. 3rd place finish.

Two weeks later, the boys headed down to Tauranga. The boys swept all aside in pool play and reached the final against the host, Greerton. Greerton, boasting a number of players from the defending national club sevens champion, Eden, started well but Northcote showed their fighting spirit and we took it to extra time. Unfortunately, Greerton capitalised on an early Northcote mistake to take the win and tournament. 2nd place finish.

Next up was the Pakuranga 7s tournament where we came up again defending national champions, Eden (the real Eden club this time) in pool play, after going up 12-0 early we thought we were on the cards for a major upset – but Eden showed their class and after a couple of questionable refereeing decisions, Eden took the game at the end. The team fought back hard throughout the day and secured the plate. 5th place finish.

Next up was the North Harbour 7s tournament, the tournament we had being targeting since the season start. After sweeping all through pool play, we went to a straight final against Marist where we showed our class and came away with the chocolates, 31-12 – North Harbour Premier Sevens champions!

Northcote had a strong showing in the North Harbour provincial team with Curtis Reid, Penetana Smith, Callum Law and Nick Smith being selected, and Nick being appointed captain. Curtis Reid also made the NZ 7s development team – a huge achievement and honour.

By way of winning our provincial tournament, Northcote was an automatic entry into the National Club 7s tournament hosted by Eden in February 2019. Short of experience by way of injury and other commitments the young Northcote team showed their heart and were knocked out in the Cup quarter-final round, finishing up as one of the top 8 teams in the country!